Early Care and Education Programs
Ready Infant Toddler Classroom Initiative
Child Care Services Association
The Ready Infant Toddler Classroom Initiative (RITC) works with existing 4- and 5-star child care centers to improve the quality of services provided in the infant and toddler classrooms. RITC uses a comprehensive approach which includes on-site coaching and professional development to improve the quality of infant-toddler learning environments and create classrooms to serve as model sites for other programs. Programs seeking to improve infant and toddler classrooms receive support through a variety of strategies, including consultation, quality improvement and professional development planning, and specialized training. This project builds upon the previous years’ project completed by using the model classrooms and programs that were developed as a resource for new programs participating in the project.
Contact: Monnie Griggs
919-403-6950
MonnieG@childcareservices.org
Time to Read
The Time to Read project serves children ages three to five enrolled in participating Orange County (OC) child care classrooms a literacy rich environment by helping teachers and caregivers build the skills needed to prepare children for success in school. Though this activity, Story Exploring training is offered to eligible child care teachers. The program provides support to teachers, who have completed Story Exploring training, in their program implementation through coaching. Storytime-to-Go thematic bags are loaned on a rotation basis to participating child care providers to assist in the incorporation of language development and literacy strategies into the classroom. Each thematic bag may include age appropriate books, manipulatives, games, songs, and/or puppets as well as activities that reinforce child care staff’s knowledge of the language development and literacy strategies gained during the coaching.
Contact: Stephanie Knop
919-245-2530
Sknop@orangecountync.org
Child Care Subsidy
Orange County Department of Social Services
This activity provides administration for child care subsidy including program administration; family outreach and application; eligibility determination; payment processing; annual recertification; and reporting, etc. Financial assistance is paid on a direct per child basis for the purchase of care and enhancements for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligible or Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) eligible families. This activity is implemented through the state-level subsidy contract.
Contact: Tina Clark
PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-245-2849
Cclark@orangecountync.gov
Child Care Subsidy Enhancements
Orange County Partnership for Young Children
This program provides financial assistance to be paid on a direct per child basis for subsidy for families eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). This activity may include subsidy rate enhancements. Enhancements are available for: facilities with a star rating of four or better with priority to sites participating in Smart Start programs; children in the birth to five year age group; and/or facilities serving as a demonstration site. Enhancements are not pro-rated for partial attendance months. Payments may include purchase of care and/or enhancements for wrap-around care for children attending other publicly funded part-day programs such as NC Pre-K, Head Start or Developmental Day Schools.
Contact: Linda Hindman
919-967-9091
Lhindman@orangesmartstart.org
NC Pre-K Match
For more information about NC Pre-K, click here
Orange County Partnership for Young Children
The financial assistance provided by this program is paid on a direct per child basis for the purpose of enhancing the NC Pre-K rate for children enrolled in and being served through NC Pre-K and whose families are eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). It does not include wrap-around care. Enhancements are available for NC Pre-K sites that are public school sites, private sites and Head Start sites. Enhancements are not pro-rated for partial attendance months.
Contact: Linda Hindman
919-967-9091
Lhindman@orangesmartstart.org
NC Pre-K Quality Enhancement and Support
For more information about NC Pre-K, click here
Orange County Partnership for Young Children
This activity provides a comprehensive approach to improve skills, knowledge, and goal setting through training and Consultation/Coaching to child care providers participating in the Orange County NC Pre-K program. Consultation services are collaborative and facilitate the resolution to improve the area of focus. Coaching builds upon the providers’ knowledge and skill level in order to meet the NC Pre-K requirements. Other program support, including non-cash grant awards, are provided as needed. Funds may be used for meeting/conference expenses.
Contact: Dionne Smith
919-967-9091
Dsmith@orangesmartstart.org